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Using Demand Studios Clips to Land other Freelance Writing Opportunities
Using Demand Studios Clips to Land other Freelance Writing Opportunities
Posted by Deb | April 20, 2010 | Comments (1)
While some writers take great pains to pretend it never happened, I don’t mind telling you I got my start writing from content sites similar to Demand Studios. My content site clips and experience helped me to land a regular newspaper column, opportunities with About.com and Oxygen Media, a stint writing about family finances with iParenting Media, and many other freelance writing jobs.
You know what else?
Some of the most vocal anti-content site writers and bloggers also used their content site clips to land more lucrative opportunities.
I sometimes read that editors won’t consider Demand Studios clips when looking for writers, but that’s not true in most cases. Just about every editor knows it’s about good writing and will hire writers as long as they provide excellent writing samples -- regardless of where they came from. That isn’t to say you’ll land every gig that comes along simply because you used your Demand Studios clips in your portfolio, but if you’re a good writer, and have solid samples to share, you could land other opportunities – even some that are quite lucrative.
Choosing Samples
If a cover letter or query letter is the first impression you make to an editor, a sample is the second. As the Demand Studios team will attest, you won’t get your foot in the door without a strong sample. The hiring editor wants to get a feel for your writing style and skills as well as your voice. He also wants to know that you know the subject matter. When choosing a writing sample, use one that is representative of the website or market you wish to break into and is relevant to the subject matter. In other words, if you’re looking to write for a gardening niche, don’t send in your automotive writing samples.
Choose your best writing. Use the articles that received the best response and the highest ratings. You can even ask your fellow writers and editors at the Demand Studios forum to help you pick your strongest clips. Make sure your personality shines through. Editors don’t necessarily like flat writing that only recites facts. Show you have a passion for writing and a flair for words.
Impressive Credentials
Editors are impressed when they see writers’ bylines under mastheads for USAToday.com Travel Tips and LIVESTRONG.com. Don’t be afraid to take your clips from the Demand Studios websites to advance your career. Sometimes writers will tell you it can’t happen, I’m here to tell you that it can and it does, many times over.
At Demand Studios you’re gaining valuable freelance writing experience; why not use it to your benefit?
Deb Ng is the founder of the Freelance Writing Jobs network of blogs and Conference Director for the BlogWorld and New Media Expo. Feel free to follow her on Twitter @debng.
You know what else?
Some of the most vocal anti-content site writers and bloggers also used their content site clips to land more lucrative opportunities.
I sometimes read that editors won’t consider Demand Studios clips when looking for writers, but that’s not true in most cases. Just about every editor knows it’s about good writing and will hire writers as long as they provide excellent writing samples -- regardless of where they came from. That isn’t to say you’ll land every gig that comes along simply because you used your Demand Studios clips in your portfolio, but if you’re a good writer, and have solid samples to share, you could land other opportunities – even some that are quite lucrative.
Choosing Samples
If a cover letter or query letter is the first impression you make to an editor, a sample is the second. As the Demand Studios team will attest, you won’t get your foot in the door without a strong sample. The hiring editor wants to get a feel for your writing style and skills as well as your voice. He also wants to know that you know the subject matter. When choosing a writing sample, use one that is representative of the website or market you wish to break into and is relevant to the subject matter. In other words, if you’re looking to write for a gardening niche, don’t send in your automotive writing samples.
Choose your best writing. Use the articles that received the best response and the highest ratings. You can even ask your fellow writers and editors at the Demand Studios forum to help you pick your strongest clips. Make sure your personality shines through. Editors don’t necessarily like flat writing that only recites facts. Show you have a passion for writing and a flair for words.
Impressive Credentials
Editors are impressed when they see writers’ bylines under mastheads for USAToday.com Travel Tips and LIVESTRONG.com. Don’t be afraid to take your clips from the Demand Studios websites to advance your career. Sometimes writers will tell you it can’t happen, I’m here to tell you that it can and it does, many times over.
At Demand Studios you’re gaining valuable freelance writing experience; why not use it to your benefit?
Deb Ng is the founder of the Freelance Writing Jobs network of blogs and Conference Director for the BlogWorld and New Media Expo. Feel free to follow her on Twitter @debng.
VeronicaM
Apr 21, 7:27 AM
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